Christmas in July

This week we are conducting our first of three Bible Camps. 45 boys and girls from Cassava River gather at Holy Family Church to learn about Jesus and his friend Francis of Assisi. Monday they learned about how the cross spoke to young Francis. Tuesday they heard the story about Francis and the leper. Today we focused on Francis and Greccio where he began the first Nativity scene. Thursday they celebrate creation with Francis and Friday concludes with St. Clare and Community.

Three Kings Jamaica Style

The girls show off their Christmas rings.

Father Michael leads "St. Francis, St. Francis may we cross your bridge" game.

John Carroll High School II

As was posted on May 23, John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce Florida made a substantial donation toward our Summer Bible School. John Carroll High School in Bel Air Maryland has made a substantial donation in the persons of Ms. Emily Burdshaw and Mrs. Louise Geczy. This past year Emily choose the Mission as her Senior Project. She collected over 4000 books for our students and raised money to help buy rice. This week she flew from Baltimore with her Senior Project Coordinator and teacher at John Carroll to offer her help at Bible camp in Cassava River. Emily is also a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish where an Archbishop Curley (Franciscan High School in Baltimore) alum Fr. Sam Young is pastor.

Emily rides to camp with her two new friends the Jamaica way - in the back of the truck

Loise and Emily pay a visit to Mrs. McCormick

Summer Help: Friar Nader Ata

We welcome Friar Nader Ata one of our friars in initial formation (training). Nader is a priesthood candidate currently residing at our House of Formation in San Antonio, Texas, while taking classes at the Oblate School of Theology. Nader arrived on July 17th but with the AEC Youth Convention . . . Football Camp and now Bible Camp. . . We've all been busy and Nader has been pitching right in!

Doing what most friars can do best . . . EAT!

Friar Nader poses with a few members of the chuch community at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary after Mass on Sunday. . .

At Holy Family Bible Camp, Cassava River, helping with the water relay. Alex Small (left) a chucrh member Bible Camp Volunteer looks on. . .

Future Reggae Boyz

This week we held the 3rd annual football (soccer) camp for 10-15 year old boys from Above Rocks and Cassava River. 60 future football stars began each day with prayer followed by various drills and exercises. Each day ended with a "friendly" game. Thanks again to our friends from Meridan CT. for sponsoring the camp again this year!

See You In St. Lucia!

Sunday marked the end of the 3rd Annual AEC Youth Assembly. It was announced that the 4th Assembly will be held in 2012 on the Island of St. Lucia. The National Arena was the site for the ending day that included testimonies by a married couple, a seminarian and a Novice-our own Sister Najole who will make her First profession on August 15th.

In the afternoon Archbishop Reese of Kingston ordained a native Jamaican to the Priesthood.

A special thank you to all who supported the Assembly with their prayers and financial gifts!

Bishops And Their Young Flock

One of the highlights of the Assembly days was the opportunity for the youth of the Caribbean to get to know the Bishops of the AEC (Antilles Episcopal Conference) and the Bishops to get to know their young flock. Each afternoon the (Arch)bishops held rap sessions with the pilgrims to learn about their issues and to offer their support to the Young Church.

Ava Gay (wearing hat) and Bishop Luigi Secco, Bishop of Willemstad, Aruba, are focused on the live Stations of the Cross.


Our girls share a light moment with Bishop Charles Dufour, a Saint Mary's College Graduate and the Bishop of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Youth Assembly Phase Two

This past Tuesday the pilgrims began the second phase of the Youth Assembly. 1500 young people gathered at Saint George's College for Liturgies, workshops, Stations of the Cross and socializing. The smiles on our kids faces says it all!

AEC-Vicariate Days

Today marked the last day for the AEC Youth Assembly Pilgrims to spend in the Vicariate of Saint Catherine. Saturday they spent the day in Old Harbour and today the visited Portmore. Both days included praise and worship, celebration of Mass and works of mercy. The group of approximately 150 have enjoyed themselves and really have come to cherish the timer together. It is wonderful to see our Catholic Youth from the Carri bean come together and support each other.

On Sunday, following the Eucharistic Liturgies, the local pilgrims and our overseas pilgrims spent the afternoon at Immaculate Conception pool. They returned for supper at Above Rocks - chicken and pizza.

Tomorrow they are off to Kingston for the second phase of the Assembly.

John 4:10

As the moon rises over Above Rocks, the first day of the AEC Youth Assembly comes to a close.120 young people from Trinidad, Granada, French Guyana, and Jamaica came together today at the Mission to praise the Lord, visit the sick, paint our schooland share a good time with each other. The day ended with ice cream and watching Cool Runnings, the inspirational story of the Jamaican Bobsled team.

AEC soon come!

In high gear for the arrival of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Youth Convention... hundreds are arriving from the islands tomorrow... and we are hosting 18 at the missions... some here, some at parishioner's homes... Based on the World Youth Day Model... days in the deaneries and then days in Kingston... we are hosting 150 (+/-) at Above Rocks on Friday ...then Saturday the vicariate (150) gathers in Old Harbour... Sunday at the local churches and then Monday at Portmore with a large bon-fire to close the day at 9pm Monday. Then starting Tuesday PM we have the OPENING Ceremonies St George's College (next to the Cathedral) and the days in Kingston: Workshops... Talks... Rallies... and Liturgies... Sports Day on Saturday and then ONE Mass for the ISLAND ... all 3 Dioceses and all the bishops of the Antilles at the National Arena for the closing Liturgy. Needless to say... it's been quite the event in the planning phase and Father Michael Heine just walked in to say, well it's now the African proverb:if it happens, it was a good event... all seems in readiness. Brother Michael Duffy actually spoke with the prep-team from the Archdiocese at the airport yesterday - they were doing their walk thru with the airport authorities.

Tennacee and the girls make final preparations for the big day on Friday!

Moving Forward

This afternoon the Parade Square of Saint Mary's College was a sea of blue and gold as the College held their 54th annual graduation ceremony. 38 young men and 78 young ladies were challenged to take what they learned during the past five years and use it to make Jamaica a better Country.

School Leaving Double Header

Today both Saint Mary's All-Age and Cassava River Primary (Holy Family) said good bye to 125 students.

Saint Mary's three hour ceremony included colourful dances by students in grades 5.



The address was given by Sister Mary Christine, a beloved former principal at St. Mary's.

Students from Cassava River depart Holy Family Church eager to begin the next step in their academic lives.

Shamar (center) a member of our Church Community in Pinto, holds his award, a result of hard work and dedication.